Author Description

No system of knowledge and spirituality in the world reveals human essence as clearly and directly as Sâmkhya. The founder of Samkhya, Kapila, is mentioned in the Vedas as a legendary figure - the first-born sage (rishi). The teaching handed down to us as Samkhya is but a remnant of the oldest system of knowledge in the world. Its roots go back to the pre-Vedic age, as do those of yoga, which originated from Samkhya. Yoga is the practical application of theoretical underpinnings derived from Samkhya. Much of Indian philosophy is based on the concepts found in Samkhya. Samkhya is the first fundamental ontology: the science of being and cognition. The basis for Samkhya lies in differentiating Purusha and Prakriti; that is, the human soul and nature. Samkhya provides the oldest and clearest differentiation of consciousness. This book not only presents the teachings of classical Samkhya but also attempts to reconstruct Samkhya in its modern form, factoring in the contributions of science. We learn that Samkhya is the oldest theoretical model for intelligent design; namely, the teaching that consciousness (Purusha) is the basis for all creation in the universe (Prakriti) and that this same consciousness is the human’s essence or soul. Samkhya offers evidence from analyzing all the categories of nature. This book presents the broadest presentation of nature’s categories in the light of modern knowledge. Samkhya gives us a thoroughly modern understanding of all the categories of nature (Prakriti) in all its dimensions and elements, organic or inorganic. Further, it provides understanding of the nature of human personality (Aham-kara), which becomes fully realized through in-body and out-of-body experiences. The human personality belongs to nature but also transcends it. It also provides understanding of the nature of the intellect (Buddhi) that connects nature with transcendental consciousness of the soul (Purusha). Samkhya demo